Create a flow chart

Create a flow chart

In this course:

Create a flow chart in PowerPoint 2013 to illustrate sequential steps in a process, and choose from a variety of layouts and options. Watch this video to learn more.

Use the right shape for the right purpose

For your flow chart, you want to be sure to use the right shape for the right purpose. Click INSERT > Shapes, and point to a shape for a Screen Tip to see its intended purpose. Here are some basics. For more about shape types, see the link to the right under See also:

The rectangle is a Process shape, used for main steps in the process.

The diamond is a Decision shape, used to show a decision point in the process.

And the elongated oval is a Terminator shape, used to start and end the process.

Start building your flow chart

Click INSERT > Shapes and build the chart using shapes from the gallery. To insert a shape, click it, and drag the crosshairs to draw it.

Specifically, use the Flowchart group for the shapes and the Lines group for the connectors between shapes.

As a visual aid for sizing and positioning shapes, click VIEW and check Gridlines.

Want more?

You want to show a process flow that uses standard flow chart shapes that you can format and arrange in a very specific layout.

To do that in PowerPoint, click INSERT, Shapes. To build the chart using shapes from the gallery, specifically use the Flowchart group for the shapes and the Lines group for the connectors between shapes.

As a visual aid for sizing and positioning shapes, click VIEW and check Gridlines.

Back on the INSERT tab, Shapes. To choose a shape, point to it for a Screen Tip to see its intended purpose.

For example, the rectangle is a Process shape, used for main steps in the process.

The diamond is a Decision shape, used to show a decision point in the process, and the elongated oval is a Terminator shape, which is used to start and end the process.

You want to be sure to use the right shape for the right purpose. For more about shape types, see the course summary.

To insert a shape, click it (shape), and drag the crosshairs to draw it.

Once you draw the shape, it is selected, and the DRAWING TOOLS FORMAT tab appears.

Use the FORMAT tab to apply styles, such as a different shape outline.

To save the style for all your shapes, right-click the shape, and choose Set as Default Shape.